Love Your Gay Hairdresser, and His Right to Marry

It's been a pretty good week for Kathleen Parker. The conservative Washington Post columnist won a Pulitzer this week for her writing, giving her a shiny bronze medal and a pretty darn groovy title to put before her name. Turns out this is also the week where Kathleen Parker made public that her position on marriage equality has changed, becoming yet another conservative voice to go from "nay" to "yay" on the subject of gay marriage.

She joins David Brooks, Steve Schmidt, Meghan McCain, Cindy McCain, Margaret Hoover and a host of other Republicans who have all said that marriage equality should be an issue that conservatives champion.

Back in 2004, during the height of ballot measure hysteria that put same-sex marriage bans in front of voters in oodles of states, Kathleen Parker was less forthright. Back then she suggested that while she loved her gay friends and her gay hairdresser, she thought same-sex marriage would ultimately be harmful to society.

What a difference a few years make. Not to mention a really good hairdresser.

In 2004, Parker put it like this:

"I figure I'm a fairly typical middle-of-the-road heterosexual married woman when I say: I love gays and, well, the whole gay thing," Parker wrote. "In other words, no one who knows me would call me a homophobe. Nevertheless, I do not worship gayness, and I'm certain that society needn't be restructured in order to accommodate even my loveliest gay friends."

Reading that in 2004 was probably enough to cause any LGBT person to twitch. The stereotypes were a bit thick (I love the way you make my hair look, and how you spruce up our neighborhoods, and how you make us laugh with your oh-so-flamboyant ways!), but beyond that, it's pretty offensive to be told, "I like you, I just think society shouldn't have to rearrange itself to make sure you can visit the love of your life in a hospital."

That's why it's particularly glad to see Parker come around. In a q&a with fans after she won her Pulitzer this week, Parker talked about her change of heart.

"I have softened my views, partly as a result of studying this issue and having many long, open talks with my gay friends and family," Parker wrote. "I don't see how we can say that one child's family is more important or better than another's. I think David Brooks may be right that same-sex marriage is a conservative position. I think this is possibly breaking news."

Gosh, who else can't wait until the day where when a Republican comes out in favor of gay marriage, it's not considered breaking news?

Meanwhile, welcome to the marriage equality club, Kathleen Parker. We'll still do your hair and make your neighborhood look pretty, but it's nice to know that at least on the issue of marriage equality, you're returning the favor now.

Photo credit: bzmillerboy